China yearns for future soccer glory

Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players stretch during training at the Evergrande International Football School near Qingyuan in Guangdong Province, China.

The sprawling 167-acre campus is the brainchild of property tycoon Xu Jiayin, whose ambition is to train a generation of young athletes to establish China as a soccer powerhouse. The school is considered the largest soccer academy in the world with 2,400 students, more than 50 pitches and a squad of Spanish coaches through a partnership with Real Madrid.

All photos taken on June 12-14, 2014.

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Qingyuan, China

A young Chinese student balances the ball on his nose as he walks to a training match at the Evergrande International Football School.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players take part in band practice after training at the Evergrande International Football School.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players attend classes after training.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese students practice sprints.

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Qingyuan, China

A view of some of the 50 pitches at the at the Evergrande International Football School.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

A Chinese coach interacts with students during training.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players help an injured player off the field during training.

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Qingyuan, China

A coach from Real Madrid stands with a young Chinese student before subbing him to a training match.

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Qingyuan, China

A young Chinese soccer player leaps up to head the ball during training.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players exercise on pull-up bars.

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Qingyuan, China

A Chinese coach shouts to players as young students wait to be subbed in during a training match.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players eat lunch in the canteen after training.

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Qingyuan, China

A view of the main stadium at the Evergrande International Football School.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players wait on line for lunch after training.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players drink water from a communal tap after training.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese students play during a match on a practice pitch.

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Qingyuan, China

A Chinese student heads the ball during training on the main pitch.

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Qingyuan, China

A Chinese student waits his turn during training on the main pitch.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players watch others training.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

A Chinese student heads the ball during training on the main pitch.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese students listen to instruction from a coach prior to a training match.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players walk to training grounds.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players line-up to have their fingernails checked for cleanliness before training.

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Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players sit together in the campus as they wait to head to training.

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Qingyuan, China

A Young Chinese soccer player eats his lunch on the canteen.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

Chinese students wait their turn as they practice before a training match.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players eat lunch under caricatures of famous footballers in the canteen.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

Young Chinese soccer players sit on the bench during a training match.

Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Qingyuan, China

A view of some of the 50 pitches at the at the Evergrande International Football School.